Gold Seal CFI
03-08-2011, 12:05 AM
#2
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Oct 2007
Position: Sr. VP of button pushing
Posts: 2,730
No. As the FAA says:
A. Purpose of Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate. Flight instructor certificates with distinctive gold seals are issued to instructors who currently meet certain qualifications. These certificates are intended to identify those instructors who have high personal qualifications and good records as active flight instructors. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hopes to issue as many gold seal certificates as possible to provide an incentive for flight instructors to improve their qualifications.
A. Purpose of Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate. Flight instructor certificates with distinctive gold seals are issued to instructors who currently meet certain qualifications. These certificates are intended to identify those instructors who have high personal qualifications and good records as active flight instructors. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) hopes to issue as many gold seal certificates as possible to provide an incentive for flight instructors to improve their qualifications.
03-08-2011, 04:24 AM
#3
Super Moderator
Joined APC: Jun 2006
Posts: 3,945
One of their flaws that deterred me from wasting my time is the testing. I had all of the requirements met and was a CFI, II and MEI but did not have the IGI test or AGI test done.
I could not in any way justify paying "the man" another $90 for a written test that would give me the ability to do the same thing I could already do with my CFI and CFII. If I could see a tangible benefit where the gold seal would make me money and pay me back the $90 I would have gone for it.
I spent the $90 on a very nice dinner for my wife and I and the return on investment was far greater than if I did the IGI and got my gold seal.
I could not in any way justify paying "the man" another $90 for a written test that would give me the ability to do the same thing I could already do with my CFI and CFII. If I could see a tangible benefit where the gold seal would make me money and pay me back the $90 I would have gone for it.
I spent the $90 on a very nice dinner for my wife and I and the return on investment was far greater than if I did the IGI and got my gold seal.
03-08-2011, 04:32 AM
#4
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2008
Position: FAA 'Flight Check'
Posts: 13,837
Originally Posted by usmc-sgt
One of their flaws that deterred me from wasting my time is the testing. I had all of the requirements met and was a CFI, II and MEI but did not have the IGI test or AGI test done.
I could not in any way justify paying "the man" another $90 for a written test that would give me the ability to do the same thing I could already do with my CFI and CFII. If I could see a tangible benefit where the gold seal would make me money and pay me back the $90 I would have gone for it.
I spent the $90 on a very nice dinner for my wife and I and the return on investment was far greater than if I did the IGI and got my gold seal.
I could not in any way justify paying "the man" another $90 for a written test that would give me the ability to do the same thing I could already do with my CFI and CFII. If I could see a tangible benefit where the gold seal would make me money and pay me back the $90 I would have gone for it.
I spent the $90 on a very nice dinner for my wife and I and the return on investment was far greater than if I did the IGI and got my gold seal.
Would a Gold Seal look good on a young pilot's resume when looking for that elusive Instructor's job when that person doesn't have that much experience instructing? I read the requirements for the Gold Seal qualification and did not see any minimum dual TIME given, only the requirement for a certain number of recommendations for testing.
The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 months:
(1) Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, at least 8 of whom passed their tests on the first attempt;
(2) Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a designated pilot examiner, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a 14 CFR part 141 approved pilot school course; or
(3) A combination of the above requirements. (Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.)
(1) Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, at least 8 of whom passed their tests on the first attempt;
(2) Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a designated pilot examiner, or graduation tests as chief instructor of a 14 CFR part 141 approved pilot school course; or
(3) A combination of the above requirements. (Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.)
03-16-2011, 04:37 PM
#7
Airport Hobo
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 844
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't one of the requirements for the gold seal an 80% passing rate on the first attempt with at least 5 students? So by getting a gold seal you would also be able to renew your CFI.
Edit: Saw the requirements above. Still kind of valid, by getting the gold seal you would be exceeding the requirements to renew your CFI.
Edit: Saw the requirements above. Still kind of valid, by getting the gold seal you would be exceeding the requirements to renew your CFI.
03-16-2011, 04:46 PM
#8
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2009
Position: A-320 FO
Posts: 693
Originally Posted by flyandive
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't one of the requirements for the gold seal an 80% passing rate on the first attempt with at least 5 students? So by getting a gold seal you would also be able to renew your CFI.
Edit: Saw the requirements above. Still kind of valid, by getting the gold seal you would be exceeding the requirements to renew your CFI.
Edit: Saw the requirements above. Still kind of valid, by getting the gold seal you would be exceeding the requirements to renew your CFI.
03-16-2011, 08:58 PM
#9
Prime Minister/Moderator
Joined APC: Jan 2006
Position: Engines Turn Or People Swim
Posts: 39,293
Functionally, the gold seal is only vaguely useful as an advertising bullet for career CFI's...sounds good to prospective student pilots.
It has no meaning in professional aviation employment. If you meet all the requirements already, it can't hurt. But like usmc-sgt said, it's not worth retaking tests you already took.
It has no meaning in professional aviation employment. If you meet all the requirements already, it can't hurt. But like usmc-sgt said, it's not worth retaking tests you already took.
03-16-2011, 09:07 PM
#10
Airport Hobo
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 844
Originally Posted by clipperskipper
Look up a couple of posts, the requirements are spelled out. Gone are $30 written exams, $140 as an AOPA member. The AGI is now a real pain, at least you'll learn all of the categories you knew little about.
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